Pneumatic weapon system

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic weapon is described. The pneumatic weapon includes a gas storage chamber in fluid communication with a breech that houses a projectile. The weapon also has a gun barrel in fluid communication with the breech. A barrier is situated intermediate the projectile and the gun barrel. The barrier impedes the forward movement of the projectile until gas is released from the gas storage chamber and the pressure within the breech builds to a point sufficient to force the projectile through the barrier and out the gun barrel. The weapon also has several unique projectile storage devices that function with the aid of recycled gas.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of my prior co-pending provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/351,874, filed Jun. 5, 2010, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forthherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to pneumatically powered weaponsystems that are analogous to those used to fire paintballs. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to pneumatic weapon systems,such as pneumatic rifles, that propel projectiles (e.g., BB's, pellets)at forces and speeds approximating or exceeding those measured withtraditional firearms.

2. Description of the Related Art

Pneumatic or “air” powered pistols and rifles are well known in the artand are especially popular in the sport of “paintball”. As used hereinthe terms “pneumatic”, “air” and “gas” are all interchangeable becausethe weapon systems discussed herein may utilize several types ofcompressive gas such as air, nitrogen, CO₂, and the like. Also, theterms “round”, “ammunition”, and “projectile” are interchangeable asused herein.

Usually pneumatic weapons fire very small caliber rounds, includingBB's, various forms of pellets, or polymer spheres containing paint ordye. Air rifles and pistols have well known advantages, including theuse of low cost ammunition, the production of relatively less noise ascompared to a firearm, and the ability to be safely fired inside adwelling, practice area or the like. While many air rifles and pistolsare used as toys, their use and effectiveness as training devices,particularly the automatic versions, are well recognized.

Prior art semi-automatic and automatic gas guns suffer from unreliablefiring mechanisms, and jams are common. Many are difficult to reload orservice. Typical magazines for pneumatic BB guns, for example, havelimited capacity. Ammunition feeding difficulties result in relativelylow firing rates. To correct for feeding difficulties from gas leakageand the like, manufacturing tolerances must be minimized, raising costs.Moreover, known air guns are capable of mating only with a singlemagazine at once, complicating desired changes between different typesof ammunition. In known designs the entire magazine and/or breech and/orbarrel must be changed to switch between different types of ammunition.Further, known feeding mechanisms tend to be optimized for a single typeof round, i.e., BB's or pellets, which detrimentally affects theavailable rate of fire when different types of ammunition are used in asingle weapon.

The known designs of pneumatic weapons fail to provide a mechanism bywhich a user may fire two different types of ammunition without havingto change magazines, reload, and/or change other components of theweapon. Furthermore, the known designs of pneumatic weapons fail toprovide performance that approach or exceed that of standard firearms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide apneumatic weapon capable of automatic fire, semi-automatic fire or both.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pneumatic weaponthat is capable of firing two or more different types of ammunitionwithout having to change magazines, reload, or change other parts of theweapon such as barrels or a breech.

The above objects are met by the present invention, in which accordingto one aspect, provides a pneumatic weapon capable of being loaded withtwo different types of projectiles simultaneously and firing twodifferent types of projectiles through the same barrel. In broad terms,the pneumatic weapon according to the invention is comprised of threebasic sections: a solenoid section for providing a source of compressedgas; a barrel section; and a firing section intermediate the solenoidsection and the barrel section. The firing section receives projectilesand aligns the projectiles with the barrel. The firing section alsoreceives compressed gas from the solenoid section that provides theenergy to fire a projectile. Furthermore, the firing section contains abarrier situated between the projectile and the barrel. The barrierimpedes the forward progress of the projectile into the barrel thusproviding for the building of gas pressure behind the projectile. Whenthe gas pressure is sufficient to overcome the resistance provided bythe barrier, the potential energy of the compressed gas isinstantaneously converted to kinetic energy as the projectile firesthrough the barrier and out of the barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other more detailed and specific features of the presentinvention are more fully disclosed in the following specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which the terms“left” and “right” designate the side of the weapon that would be on theuser's left hand side or right hand side when firing the weapon (note:firing the weapon left-handed or right-handed does not alter theorientation of the weapon to the user):

FIG. 1 is a right side view of a pneumatic weapon according to theinvention, with portions thereof broken away for brevity;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the pneumatic weapon shown in FIG. 1 withportions thereof broken away for brevity;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded right side view of the weapon of FIGS. 1and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the shoulder stock and thesolenoid sections of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, exploded isometric view of the solenoid controlsection of a weapon according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a gas storage unit;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of the firing mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded right-sided perspective view of the firing sectionof the invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded left-sided perspective view of the firing sectionof the invention;

FIG. 10( a) is a left-sided perspective view of a gun body;

FIG. 10( b) is a cross section of FIG. 10( a) take along line 10(b);

FIG. 11( a) is a cross section of the firing section of the inventionwhere a magazine cover is closed;

FIG. 11( b) is a cross section of the firing section of the inventionwhere a magazine cover is open;

FIG. 12 is a drawing of a portion of a mechanism to control the transferof projectiles into the breech of the invention;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a breech;

FIG. 14 is a view of a tope clip assembly;

FIG. 15 is a view of the breech block lower assembly;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a projectile storage device designed tostore spherical projectiles;

FIG. 17( a) is a partial cross section taken along line 17(a) of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17( b) is a cross section taken along line 17(b) of FIG. 17( a);

FIG. 18 is view of a barrel and related elements;

FIG. 19 is a schematic of a barrier for impeding the progress of aprojectile;

FIG. 20 is a frontal view of a barrier utilized in a weapon according tothe invention;

FIG. 21 is a partially exploded view of a “barrel section insert”;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a gas recovery device;

FIG. 23 is a cross section of FIG. 24;

FIG. 24 is a side view of a gas recovery device;

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of a gas recovery device;

FIG. 26 is a front on view of a gas recovery device;

FIG. 27 is an exploded view of a projectile storage device in the formof a magazine clip;

FIG. 28 is a top-down view of the magazine 11 p of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a side-view of the magazine of FIG. 27 with exterior portionsremoved;

FIG. 30 is a side view of the magazine of FIG. 27 with exterior portionsremoved;

FIGS. 31-33 schematically illustrate how projectiles from a magazineclip are fed through the invention.

FIG. 34 is a top-down cross sectional view of a gun body schematicallyrepresenting a pin used to switch the weapon to and from full automaticmode.

FIG. 35 is a side view of an “L-rail” projectile storage device withexterior portions removed for clarity;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousdetails are set forth, such as device configurations and movements, inorder to provide an understanding of one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. However, it is and will be apparent to one skilled inthe art that these specific details are not required to practice thepresent invention.

Furthermore, the following detailed description is of the best presentlycontemplated mode of carrying out the invention based upon the existingprototype. The description is not intended in a limiting sense, and ismade solely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe invention. The various features and advantages of the presentinvention may be more readily understood with reference to the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

The terms “left” and “right” as used herein designate the side of theweapon that would be on the user's left-hand side or right-hand sidewhen firing the weapon (note: firing the weapon left-handed orright-handed does not alter the orientation of the weapon to the user).Likewise, the terms “front” and “rear” are to be interpreted in thecontext of a user firing the weapon (i.e., the gun barrel muzzle is atthe “front” of the weapon while the stock is at the “rear”).

Referring now to the drawings in detail, where like numerals refer tolike parts or elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a pneumatic weapon inthe form of a rifle constructed generally in accordance with the bestmode of the invention and designated by the reference numeral 20. Thosefamiliar with construction of small weapons and gunsmithing will readilyrecognize that the concepts discussed herein with relation to thedisclosed rifle are equally applicable to a pneumatic handgun. Theprimary difference between the two embodiments being size and weight ofconstruction. Generally speaking, the same components described hereincould be used to build a handgun with slight engineering adjustments toaccount for the smaller size of the typical hand held gun.

The pneumatic rifle 20 may be adapted to fire round (e.g., BBs) orconical (e.g., bullets) ammunition. For ease of discussion this detaileddescription will utilize BBs and/or pellets in the description of theinvention. One unique feature of one embodiment of the weapon accordingto the invention that is discussed in greater detail below is that theweapon is capable of firing two different types of ammunition (e.g., BBsand pellets) without having to reload, change feeding systems, or changemagazines or barrels. By operator selection of the appropriate controland feed structures to be described, the operator can switch betweeneither of these two preferred projectiles, and firing can be eithersemi-automatic or full automatic as described hereinafter. Switchingfrom one type of ammunition to another has obvious benefits in lawenforcement situations where an officer can switch from non-lethalammunition (e.g., rubber balls) to lethal ammunition (e.g., steel)without having to take the time to switch weapons or reload a singleweapon. Similarly a weapon that can fire both in a full automatic orsemi-automatic mode has certain advantages, particularly in militarysituations.

Rifle 20, comprises a plurality of interrelated sections, best seen inFIGS. 1-3. Generally speaking, the rifle 20 comprises four sections asshown in FIG. 3: a shoulder stock section 22 (which is preferablyfoldable or completely removable); a solenoid control section 24 whichincludes a trigger assembly 30; a firing section 28; and a barrelsection 36. Ammunition is provided via various projectile storagedevices. Side feeding of spherical projectiles (e.g., BBs) through twotypes of spherical projectile storage devices are described hereinafteras is bottom feeding of a different type of projectile (e.g., pellets)via a magazine 32.

Returning now to FIGS. 1 and 3, a shoulder stock section 22 adjoins thesolenoid control section 24. The shoulder stock section 22 may be any ofseveral commercially available rigid or collapsible stock pieces. Theshoulder stock section 22 shown in the drawings is a rigid, commerciallyavailable stock piece which is similar to the stock piece used on amilitary AR15 or M16. The shoulder stock section 22 is mounted to theweapon via a natural pipe threaded wire stock 48 which engages withmatching threads at the rear of a high pressure gas storage unit 56. Thegas storage unit 56 is a component of the solenoid control section 24which is discussed below.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the solenoid control section 24 of theweapon according to the invention comprises a frame which secures thesection's components. The frame utilized in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 comprises a top mounting plate 49, a handle bracket 50,and a forward handle bracket 51. The frame components provide places ofattachment for the battery pack 75, high pressure gas storage unit 56,and the trigger assembly 30.

The high pressure gas storage unit 56 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 inrelation to the overall structure of the weapon and in cross section inFIG. 6. Gas storage unit 56 is generally rectangular and in theprototype of the invention was made of a solid block of aluminum.Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 6, the gas storage unit 56 is defined by anenclosed gas storage chamber 57 that is capable of fluid communicationwith other components. The enclosed gas storage chamber 57 utilized inthe practice of the prototype was created by boring four holes into thebody of the gas storage unit 56.

There are two borings, beginning at the front of the gas storage unit 56and extending to a point near the rear of the unit, that are generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the unit and which create an upperair passage 58 and a lower air passage 59. Both the upper air passage 58and the lower air passage 59 terminate in threaded ends 60 at the frontof the gas storage unit 60. FIG. 6. The threaded end to the upper airpassage 58 fluidly communicates with a threaded solenoid coupling 92which in turn provides fluid communication with a solenoid 84. Thethreaded end to the lower air passage 59 connects with a threaded gasstorage unit plug 61. The gas storage unit plug 61 serves to seal thethreaded end of the lower air passage 59. The gas storage unit plug 61can be removed for attachment of a standard gas quick-connect coupling(not shown). This latter type of arrangement, where a high pressure gasline is connected directly to the lower air passage 59, is envisioned asa preferred arrangement for stationary mounted weapons.

Turning now to the rear of the gas storage unit 56 as shown in FIG. 6,there are two additional portals for fluid communication with gasstorage chamber 57 created by two additional borings. The upper boringprovides fluid communication with the gas storage chamber 57 and isidentified as the pressure port 63. The pressure port 63 receivespressure gauge 70 which is used to measure the pressure inside the gasstorage chamber 57. The pressure gauge 70 may be any of severalcommercially available pressure gauges and one skilled in the art willreadily choose the appropriate gauge for use in the practice of theinvention.

The second and lower portal at the rear of the gas storage unit 56 whichprovides fluid communication with the gas storage chamber 57 isdesignated the gas feed port 72. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the gasfeed port 72 is threaded at its entry point into the gas storage unit56. The threaded portion of the gas feed port 72 may be engaged by a gasfeed port plug 73 as shown in FIG. 4 or by a quick couple connector 74as shown in FIG. 6. The quick couple connector 74 may be any of severalcommercially available gas port quick couple connectors such as thosecommonly used on CO₂ bottles utilized with paintball guns or which serveas quick connectors to gas lines (e.g., air hoses). Those skilled in theart will be able to select the connector type most suitable for theirparticular utilization of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weapon according to theinvention is a hand held, mobile weapon (e.g., pistol or rifle) carriedby user. The weapon is connected to a mobile compressed air tank (notshown) carried by the user via a high pressure hose which attaches tothe quick couple connector 74 engaged in the gas feed port 72. Thisarrangement of components provides the user with a long term supply ofcompressed gas for long term operation of the weapon.

Turning again to FIG. 6, those skilled in the art will readilycomprehend that the functionality of the gas storage unit 56 and theenclosed gas storage chamber 57 may be accomplished in several differentways. For example, the rear portion of the gas storage unit shown in thedrawings has two angled faces: one each for the gas feed port 72 and thepressure port 63. The gas feed port 72 angle aids operation of theweapon by directing the gas feed line down and away from a user's face.The angle of the pressure port 63 is convenient for operator observationof the pressure gauge 70.

Furthermore, the storage chamber 57 could be formed by a creating asingle large boring on the front end of the gas storage unit 56 insteadof two smaller borings. As discussed in more detail below, there is avolumetric relationship between the amount of gas utilized to fire theweapon and the kinetic energy transferred to the projectile.Accordingly, one skilled in the art can increase or decrease the powerof the weapon by adjusting the volume of the gas storage chamber 57.

The weapon according to the invention is controlled and firedelectronically via an electronic firing mechanism schematically shown inFIG. 7. The firing mechanism utilized in the prototype of the inventionis similar to many firing mechanisms currently used in commerciallyavailable electronically controlled pneumatic weapons. A 12-volt batterypack 75 disposed beneath the gas storage unit 56 leads to an on/offswitch 77, FIGS. 4 and 7, that outputs on line 79 to a switch (notshown) operated by the trigger 80, which, when pulled, energizes line 82applying positive voltage to positive solenoid terminal 85. The negativeline 86 from the battery pack 75 leads to a switch 87, FIGS. 4 and 7,comprising a safety. The circuit is completed via the return negativeline 88 leading to the negative post 83 on the solenoid terminal. Asbest seen in FIG. 7, an arcuate trigger guard 89 protects trigger 80.

The firing mechanism also comprises a microprocessor (not shown) that isprogrammable to provide for semi-automatic, automatic, or repetitiveburst (e.g., 3 rounds in succession) firing. Such programmablemicroprocessor controlled firing mechanisms are known in the art andneed not be discussed in detail herein. By pulling the trigger 80 a useractivates the solenoid. The solenoid opens allowing gas from the gasstorage unit to flood through the solenoid and into the gun body 93 andbreech 250 ultimately resulting in the firing of a projectile from theweapon. This aspect of the invention is discussed in more detail below.

The battery pack 75 and its associated wiring can be located anywherealong the frame of the weapon. In the prototype of the invention and theFigures, the battery pack 75 is attached to the weapon below the gasstorage unit 56. This location was chosen to reduce the length of wirenecessary to connect the battery pack 75 to the other two electricalcomponents on the weapon: the trigger assembly 30 and the solenoid 84.

As shown in FIG. 4, the handle bracket 50 is generally “L” shaped havingan upward extending portion 52 and an upper horizontal plate 53. Thehandle bracket 50 is also defined by a beveled channel 54 on the facesituated opposite of the face engaging the trigger assembly. The beveledchannel 54 approximates the length of the battery pack 75 while theupward extending portion 52 approximates the height of the battery pack75. The battery pack 75 thus slides into the space created between theupper horizontal plate 53 and the beveled channel 54. Depending ondesired manufacturing tolerances the battery pack 75 may stay in itsposition due to friction or other means (e.g., clamps) may be utilizedto keep the battery pack 75 in place.

The upper horizontal plate 53 serves a second function in that itprovides the lower attachment point for the gas storage unit 56 as shownin FIGS. 5 and 6. The gas storage unit 56 contains two threaded holesthat align with two holes 55 drilled into the upper horizontal plate 53.Standard hexagonal socket head cap screws were used to connect the gasstorage unit 56 to the upper horizontal plate 53 in the prototype of theweapon. Similarly, two holes 55 are also found in the forward face ofthe handle bracket 50 which serve as attachment points for the forwardhandle bracket 51, FIGS. 4 and 5.

The trigger assembly 30 utilized in the practice of the invention may beany of several commercially available options currently on the marketfor use in electronic pneumatic weapons or even tools. The exact triggerassembly 30 used in the practice of the invention is a user preferencedecision. The trigger assembly 30 is secured to the frame via standardmeans which may vary depending upon the trigger assembly purchased bythe practitioner. In most instances the trigger assembly will likely beattached to the frame (e.g., handle bracket 50) by a bolt. However,there is a degree of flexibility in the exact placement of the triggerassembly 30 in the practice of the invention. For example, the triggerassembly 30 can be moved further back on the handle bracket 50 orforward to attach directly to the forward handle bracket 51.

Practitioners should note that the frame utilized in the practice of theinvention, and thus the overall appearance of the weapon, can varydepending upon the preferences of the practitioner. As those skilled inthe art recognize, weapon frames can be altered to fit the particularneeds of the user. For example, a tall shooter with long arms may prefera longer overall weapon which could translate into using a longer topmounting plate 49 or a longer handle bracket 50. Thus, the geometry ofthe frame parts discussed herein are to provide the reader with anunderstanding of how the prototype was assembled but the geometriesdiscussed herein should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of theinvention.

Turning again to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the upper border of the solenoidcontrol section 24 is defined by the top mounting plate 49. The topmounting plate 49 is attached to the gas storage unit 56 in the same wayas the gas storage unit is attached to the handle bracket 50. The topmounting plate 49 can be a single flat rectangular piece of metal (or asuitable polymer construction) or it could be a bar having a substantialcross section which could contain borings or ridges for attachment ofweapon accessories such as scopes and sites. Again, the exact form ofthe top mounting plate 49 used in the practice of the invention may bealtered by the practitioner. As shown in FIG. 3, the top mounting plateutilized in prototypes of the invention is of sufficient length toconnect the solenoid control section 24 to the firing section 28 thusproviding frame like support traversing two sections of the weapon.

The remaining component of the solenoid control section 24 to bediscussed is the solenoid valve 84. A tubular, threaded coupling 92connects the gas storage unit 56 to the solenoid 84 and provides fluidcommunication between the gas storage chamber 57 and the interior of thesolenoid valve 84. A similar tubular, threaded coupling identified asvelocity tube 94 connects the solenoid valve 84 to the firing section 28and the firing chamber 108 in particular, FIG. 8.

The solenoid valve 84 utilized in the practice of the invention is astandard, commercially available (although modified) pneumatic solenoidvalve such as those available from STC of Palo Alto, Calif. Theprototype weapon utilized a “T-shaped” STC model 2E200-34 originallyrated at 800 psi out of the box. An early prototype of the weaponemployed this solenoid valve with satisfactory results. However, at theinventor's request, STC modified the solenoid valve such that it wasrated at 1500 psi. Other pneumatic solenoid valves with even higher psiratings (e.g., 5800 psi) are available to consumers and can be used inthe practice of the invention. However, at this time such pneumaticsolenoid valves are very heavy and are not practical for a hand carriedweapon. As solenoid valve technology improves new generations ofsolenoid valves can be incorporated into the practice of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7 the pneumatic solenoid valve 84 isfluidly connected to the gas storage chamber 57 and electricallyconnected to the battery pack 75, trigger 80, and the firing circuit asdiscussed previously. The solenoid valve 84 can also be attached to theframe of the weapon at some point (e.g., clamped or bolted to the handlebracket 50) if desired as shown in FIG. 5.

The solenoid control section 24 is connected to the next forward sectionof the weapon: the firing section 28. The connection between thesolenoid control section 24 and the firing section 28 is twofold. First,the two sections are connected by frame pieces (e.g., top mounting plate49 and forward handle bracket 51) as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Second,the two sections are connected via the components of each, namely, theconnection of the pneumatic solenoid valve 84 to the gun body 93 via athreaded and rigid velocity tube 94.

The gun body 93 is the primary component of firing section 28 and willbe described first. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the gun body 93 isgenerally rectangular in shape. The gun body 93 is defined by aplurality of machined openings, tubes and slots that provide means forattachment of projectile storage devices and means for switching betweendifferent types of ammunition. The following paragraphs will describethe gun body 93 in more detail.

Turning now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the gun body 93 is generallyrectangular in shape and can generally be divided into a rear section109, a middle section 110, and a front section 111. The rear section 109is the point of attachment of the gun body 93 to the solenoid 84.

The top edge of the rear section 109 of the gun body 93 is continuouswith the top edge of the middle section 110 of the gun body 93. However,the bottom edge of the rear section 109 is situated apart from thebottom edge of the middle section 110 of the gun body 93 thus defining asmall recess at the lower rear of the gun body 93 which gives the rearsection 109 of the gun body 93 a more square cross section than theremainder of the gun body 93. The rear section 109 of the gun body 93 isalso defined by a boring, the velocity pin port 106, that provides fluidcommunication between the solenoid 84 and the middle section 110 of thegun body 93. The velocity pin port 106 also houses a mechanism tocontrol the transfer of projectiles into the breech. This mechanism isdiscussed in more detail below.

The middle section 110 is the location of the breech 250 and the pointof the attachment for projectile storage devices. As shown in FIG. 10,the middle section 110 is primarily defined by 2 spaces machined intothe gun body. One space is the firing chamber 108 which is where thebreech 250 resides. The other space is the lower loading chamber 133which is where a projectile storage device such as a projectiles clipmay attach. Note that the lower loading chamber 133 extends a distanceinto the front section of the gun body 43. This is because the loadingchamber 133 also houses elements that slide back and forth to seal offthe firing chamber 108. The final portion of the gun body 93 is thefront section 111. It is defined by two borings. The first is the barrelbore 270 which are largely co-axial with the firing chamber 108. Thebarrel bore 270 receives the barrel 271 and other related elements. Theother boring shown in FIG. 10 a is the breech block pin port 151 whichreceives the breech block pin 143 which is used to move the breech block141 back and forth in the lower loading chamber 133.

Continuing with FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the rear section 109 of the gun body93 is connected to the solenoid 84 via a rigid velocity tube 94. Therigid velocity tube 94 utilized in the practice of the invention was ametal connector similar to the connector tube 92 connecting the gasstorage unit 56 to the solenoid 84. Although metal connectors were usedin the prototypes of the invention, polymers capable of withstandinghigh pressures may also be used. The velocity tube 94 extends to andmates with a threaded end of a tubular velocity pin port 106 in the rearface of the rear portion 109 of the gun body 93. The velocity tube 94allows fluid communication between the interior of the pneumaticsolenoid valve 84 and the interior of the gun body 93.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 11, a smaller diameter spring return bushing96 is coaxially disposed within the interior 97 of the velocity tube 94.The forward end of the spring return bushing 96 abuts an internal pinplunger 99, FIG. 8, which is of approximately the same diameter of thespring return bushing 96. In a prototype of the weapon according to theinvention both the return bushing 96 and the internal pin plunger 99were made of high strength, low friction polymers such as Delrin® fromDuPont. The internal pin plunger 99 mates with a velocity pin 100 via apressure sleeve 101. FIG. 12. Velocity pin 100 extends coaxially throughthe velocity pin port 106 terminating proximate firing chamber 108containing the breech 250 FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 13. A coiled velocityreturn spring 104 disposed within the velocity port 106 and over thevelocity pin 100, FIGS. 8 and 11, biases the velocity pin plunger 99 toabut the spring return bushing 96 at rest.

The forward end of the velocity pin port 106 terminates at the firingchamber 108 (FIG. 10( b)) and abuts the rear face of the breech 250(FIG. 11) which resides within the firing chamber 108. The forwardterminus of the velocity pin port 106 is machined to create an annularshoulder 107 (FIG. 10( b)) to receive the velocity pin guide 102 (FIG.11). The velocity pin guide 102 reciprocally receives the velocity pin100 through a hole placed in the center of the velocity pin guide 102.FIGS. 8 and 11.

Both the velocity pin guide 102 and the velocity pin plunger 99 arefurther defined by a plurality of very small (e.g., 0.5 mm) holestraversing the body of each which provides fluid communicationthroughout the velocity pin port 106 and into the firing chamber 108.However, the plurality of small holes in the velocity pin plunger 99 andthe velocity pin guide 102 are not of a number or of a size that wouldsubstantially eliminate resistance to fluid (e.g. gas) flow througheach. This is particularly important with respect to the velocity pinplunger 99 as its function is to reciprocate, and thus cause reciprocalmovement of the velocity pin 100, in response to changes in air pressurein the velocity tube 94 and the velocity pin port 106 during firing ofthe weapon. The movement of the various parts of the weapon duringfiring is discussed in more detail below.

The rear section 109 of the gun body 93 is connected to the top mountingplate 49 via threaded holes 41 and screws (not shown) (FIGS. 1 and 9) ina fashion similar to that described with respect to the gas storage unit56 thereby providing an extension of the overall framework of theweapon.

Situated directly beneath the velocity pin 100 apparatus is a series ofcomponents that make up the top clip assembly 116. FIGS. 8, 9 and 14.The top clip assembly 116 is a generally rectangular arm that engageswith the cover of a projectile storage device such as an ammunitionmagazine or “clip”. The function of the top clip assembly 116 is to pullthe cover of the magazine back to allow projectiles to rise from themagazine into the firing chamber 108.

Turning to FIG. 14, the top clip assembly 116 comprises a top clip bolt117, a top clip pin 118, a top clip spring 119, and a top clip bolthandle 120. The top clip bolt 117 is generally rectangular as shown inFIG. 14 and possesses a bore 122 extending its length and a notch 123for mating with a platform 306 on a magazine cover 305. FIGS. 11 and 30.The bore 122 is preferably of a diameter just sufficient to receive thetop clip pin 118. The bore 122 should not be of a diameter sufficient toreceive the top clip spring 119 which slides over the top clip pin 118.FIGS. 11 and 14.

The top clip bolt 117 is received within a top clip channel 112 that ismachined in the bottom of the rear section 109 of the gun body 93. FIGS.9, 10 a and 11. The top clip channel 112 is machined to a depth andshape to mate with the shape of the top clip bolt 117 and a magazinecover 305 FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 10( a), the top clip channel 112possesses two distinct sections. The upper section 113 is machined toclosely mate with the shape of the top clip bolt 117 while the lowersection 114 is machined to have a greater width suitable for receiving amagazine cover 305.

Enclosing and securing the top clip assembly 116 to the rear section 109of the gun body 93 is a top pin guide plate 121. The top pin guide plate121 is generally “L” shaped having a vertical arm 124, a horizontal arm125, and a plug 126 abutting the vertical arm 124 and sized to fitsnuggly within top clip channel 112. The vertical arm 124 of the top pinguide plate 121 is also defined by three bores: two for mating withmachined screw holes in the gun body 93 and one aligned with a similarbore in the plug 126. The bore in the plug 126 and its aligned bore inthe vertical arm 124 receive top clip pin 118 when a “clip” or magazineis engaged with the weapon.

The final two components necessary for the operation of the top clipassembly 116 are the top clip bolt handle 120 and the clip breech slot127. FIG. 8. The top clip bolt handle 120 is defined by a threaded stem(not shown) that engages with a mating threaded hole (not shown) in thetop clip bolt 117. The top clip bolt 117 is inserted into the top clipchannel 112 and pushed forward until the threaded hole in the top clipbolt 117 is visible through the clip breech slot 127. The top clip bolthandle 120 is then joined with the threaded hole which allows the topclip bolt 117 to slide along the length of the top clip channel 112.

The clip breech slot 127 is preferably of a length that enables the topclip assembly 116, and specifically the top clip bolt 117, to engagewith a cover 305 of a “clip” or magazine and move the cover such that itprovides an entry point into the gun body 93 for ammunition as shown bythe cross section in FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b). In FIG. 11( b), the topclip bolt 117 is pulled rearward compressing the top clip spring 119which biases the top clip bolt 117 in a forward position at rest. FIG.11( a) shows how the firing section looks when a clip magazine isattached to the weapon but is not open to feed projectiles to the firingchamber and breech. Note that the bore in the top pin guide plate plug126 may have a small recess in it to receive and secure the rear end ofthe top clip spring 119 as shown in FIG. 11( b).

The gun body middle section 110 is defined by several characteristicsand components. The gun body middle section 110 can be divided into twogeneral sections: the firing chamber 108 and a lower loading chamber 133that are generally separated by the top clip assembly 116 when the topclip assembly 116 is moved to a forward position as in FIG. 11( a).

The description of this portion of the gun body 93 will begin with thefiring chamber 108. FIGS. 8, 10(a), 10(b), 11(a) and 11(b). The firingchamber 108 is a generally rectangular chamber that is open to the topof gun body 93 as shown in FIG. 8 and extends downward to the top of thetop clip bolt 117 when the top clip bolt 117 is in a forward restingposition. The rear of the firing chamber 108 is defined by a generallyrectangular wall having a rear opening that is coaxial with the forwardterminus of the velocity pin port 106. FIG. 11. Similarly, the front ofthe firing chamber 108 is defined by a generally rectangular wall havinga front opening that is coaxial with the velocity pin port 106 andcoaxial with the barrel 271. The top of the firing chamber 108 isdefined by the aforementioned rectangular opening in the top of the gunbody 93, said rectangular opening defined by a slight rectangular ledge128 distal from the top of the gun body 93, said ledge 128 providing aresting place for the top plate 251 of the breech 250 discussedhereinafter. The ledge 128 may contain a channel for receiving arectangular “O” ring to aid in the sealing of this opening into thefiring chamber 108.

Staying with FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b) and also referring to FIGS. 9 and10( a), one wall of the firing chamber 108 (and thus one side of the gunbody 93) contains a portal through which ammunition may be fed into thefiring chamber 108. In a prototype of the invention shown in FIG. 1, theleft side of the gun body 93 corresponding to the left side wall of thefiring chamber 108 contains a generally oblong portal 129 for receivinga generally oblong stem 200 FIG. 10( a) from a projectile storage devicethat holds spherical projectiles (e.g., BB's, rubber balls, paintballs,etc.) which is described below. The ammunition portal 129, and thespherical storage device, could be situated on the right hand side ofthe gun body 93 depending on the preference of the practitioner.

The lower loading chamber 133 is situated directly beneath the firingchamber 108 as shown in FIG. 10( b). The lower loading chamber 133 isseparated from the firing chamber 108 by the top clip assembly 116 (FIG.14), specifically the top clip bolt 117 when the top clip bolt 117 is ina resting position. When the top clip bolt 117 is pulled rearwardthrough action of the top clip bolt handle 120 the lower loading chamber133 is continuous with the firing chamber 108.

Returning to FIGS. 10( a), 10(b) and 11, the lower loading chamber 133is essentially a channel extending from the middle section 110 of thegun body 93 into the front section 111 of the gun body. The lowerloading chamber 133 has a side to side width approximately equal to thatof the firing chamber 108. The front to rear width (or length) of thelower loading chamber 133 is approximately twice the front to rear width(or length) of the firing chamber 108. The front to rear distance of thelower loading chamber 133 is about twice that of the firing chamber 108because within the lower loading chamber 133 resides a breech blocklower assembly 140. FIG. 15. The breech block lower assembly 140 slidesalong the length of the lower loading chamber 133 with the breech blockpin 143 sliding within breech block pin port 151.

The breech block lower assembly 140 comprises a breech block 141, abreech block bolt 142, a breech block pin 143, a breech block pin guide144, a breech block spring 145 (shown in FIG. 11) and a breech block cap149 (FIGS. 1 and 8). The breech block pin guide 144 is a hollow tubewith an inner diameter sufficient to receive the breech block pin 143and the breech block spring 145, said spring positioned between theinner wall of the breech block pin guide 144 and the outer surface ofthe breech block pin 143. The breech block 141 is sized to tightly fitwithin the lower loading chamber 133 yet slide along its length.

The breech block 141 contains a threaded hole that traverses its frontto back width. The hole has two diameters: a rear diameter sufficient toreceive the breech block pin guide 143 and a larger, more forwarddiameter to receive the breech block pin 143 and breech block pin guide144. FIG. 11. The breech block cap 149 is a round threaded plug having ahole in the middle of sufficient diameter to reciprocatingly receive thebreech block pin 143. FIG. 8. The threaded breech block cap 149 connectswith the hole in the breech block 141 and serves as an abutment for thebreech block spring 145 thereby biasing the breech block 141 to the rearof lower loading chamber 133.

A small breech block slot 148, FIG. 8, and breech block bolt 142 similarto those utilized in by the top clip assembly 116 advances the breechblock 141 to the front or the rear of the lower loading chamber 133 (andthe breech block pin 143 along the breech block pin port 151).

The breech block pin 143 is advanced through the breech block 141 untilit protrudes from the rear wall of the breech block 141 as shown in FIG.15. This protrusion 146 of the breech block pin 143 mates with an equalsized indentation 147 in the rear wall of the lower loading chamber 133when a magazine is not inserted into the weapon or into an equal sizedindentation in a magazine when such is inserted into the weapon. Thecross section shown in FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b) is a cross section takenwhen a magazine is inserted into the weapon.

As shown in FIG. 11( b), when the breech block lower assembly 140 ispositioned to the front of the lower loading chamber 133 there is apathway from the bottom of the gun body 93 to the firing chamber 108when the top clip assembly 116 is positioned to the rear of the top clipchannel 113. When the breech block lower assembly 140 is positioned tothe rear of the lower loading chamber 133 this pathway to the firingchamber 108 is removed. Furthermore, When the breech block lowerassembly 140 is positioned to the rear of the lower loading chamber 133,the top clip assembly 116 should be positioned to the front of the topclip channel 113. This positioning slides the top clip bolt 117 directlyon top of the breech block 141 thus creating a double seal of the firingchamber 108 which maintains the high air pressures needed in the firingchamber 108 for firing projectiles.

As a general matter, the firing of the weapon according to the inventionrequires the generation of high gas pressures within the firing chamber108 and any component that is in fluid communication with it. Thereforeall components of the weapon should be precisely machined to eliminategaps between parts. In the prototype of the invention the application ofgun grease between the connecting parts was sufficient to maintain anair tight firing chamber capable of 1500 psi. However, “O” rings wereemployed in a few critical locations to help prevent leaks. As pressuresincrease with improved solenoid technology additional measures such asincluding additional “O” rings may be needed in future models.

Turning now to the components that provide ammunition to the firingchamber, this discussion will begin with a description of a projectilestorage device designed to store spherical projectiles and referred toherein as the spherical projectile magazine 21 shown generally in FIG. 8and in more detail in FIGS. 16, 17 a, and 17 b. In general terms, thespherical projectile magazine 21 is cylindrical tower enclosing a spiralramp which delivers spherical projectiles via gravity to the firingchamber 108. The overall height and width of the spherical projectilemagazine 21 is determined in part by the size and quantity of ammunitiondesired by the practitioner. Thus, a practitioner skilled in the art caneasily vary the dimensions of the spherical projectile magazine 21 tofit individual needs.

Turning now to FIGS. 16, 17 a and 17 b, the spherical projectilemagazine 21 comprises three basic components: a cylindrical cover 201, abase 203 to mate with the cylindrical cover, and a spiral tower 202situated inside a chamber created by the cylindrical cover 201 and base203. The cylindrical cover 201 is a cylinder where the end opposite thebase 203 is closed. In the prototype shown in the drawings the closedend of the cylindrical cover 201 is the “top” end but for reasonsdiscussed later, the spherical projectile magazine 21 could be attachedto the weapon such that it extends “downward” below the gun body 93 inwhich case the enclosed end would be the “bottom” end.

Although the inner diameter of the cylindrical cover 201 remainsconstant throughout its length, the end of the cylindrical cover 201proximate the base 203 has an outer diameter that is less than the outerdiameter of the end of the cylindrical cover 201 distal to the base 203thus allowing the cylindrical cover 201 to couple with a cylindricalboring 204 in the base 203 and provide a uniform inner diameterthroughout the chamber created inside the spherical projectile magazine21. FIG. 16.

Situated within the chamber created by the cylindrical cover 201 and thebase 203 is a spherical tower 202. The spherical tower 202 is defined bya central core 205 having a ramp 206 spiraling toward the bottom of base203 at an approximately 12 degree pitch. The spiral ramp 206 terminatesat the bottom of the cylindrical bore 204 in the base 203 proximate anopening the base 203 that is the entrance to a projectile feed port 207.FIG. 16. Thus the feed port is in fluid communication with thecylindrical bore 204. The projectile feed port 207 is drilled throughthe wall of the base 203 and through a stem 200 integral with said base203 at a sweep angle sufficient to maintain forward momentum ofspherical projectiles as the projectiles travel from the spiral ramp 206and into the firing chamber 108. The sweep angle also creates a slightsuction force as projectiles traverse the stem thus aiding in thecontinuous feed of ammunition into the firing chamber 108.

Those skilled in the art will note that the alignment of the terminus ofthe spiral ramp 206 with the opening to the feed port 207 must beprecise, FIGS. 17( a) and 17(b). This is accomplished by placement oftwo alignment pins 208 in the floor of the cylindrical bore 204 that arealigned with holes in the bottom of the spherical tower 202 FIG. 17( a).Preferably, two additional screw holes are placed in the bottom of thebase 203 to engage with screw holes in the base of the spherical tower202 to further secure the assembly of the spherical projectile magazine21.

The side of the base 203 that is adjacent to the gun body 93 is machinedor otherwise configured to form a face plate 209 which abuts the side ofthe gun body 93. The stem 200 juts from the face plate 209 and isreceived by projectiles portal 129. An “O” ring 222 is situated in agroove in the face plate 209 encircling the stem 200 to aid in formingan air tight seal between the spherical projectile magazine 21 and thefiring chamber 108. Alternatively, the feed port 207 could terminate atthe face of face plate 209 and align with projectile portal 129 thuseliminating the stem 200.

At a point on the cylindrical cover 201, preferably maximally distalfrom the base 203, there is a loading port 210 through which sphericalammunition may be loaded into the spherical projectile magazine 21. FIG.16. The loading port 210 is threaded and is closed with a threaded plug211. There is also positioned at a point distal to the base 203 acylindrical cover gas portal 212. FIG. 9. The cylindrical cover gasportal 212 is connected via standard couplings 213 and a gas line 214 toa similar gas portal 216 in the wall of the gun body 93. FIGS. 9 and 10a. The gun body gas portal 216 provides fluid communication between thepressurized interior of the gun body 93 and spherical projectilemagazine 21. Therefore, the interior pressure of the sphericalprojectile magazine 21 is generally equal to that of the interior of thegun body 93.

The gas that enters the spherical projectile magazine 21 throughcylindrical cover gas portal 212 aids in maintaining the progress ofammunition toward the ammunition feed port 207. In normal firingpositions this gas assistance will not be needed to maintain a steadyfeed of spherical ammunition to the firing chamber 108 due to gravity.However, with the gas assist a user of the weapon should be able to holdthe weapon upside down and still maintain a suitable ammunition deliveryinto the firing chamber 108.

Another point of novelty regarding the weapon according to the inventionis its ability to switch between two different types of ammunitionwithout having to change magazines or barrels or the mechanics of thefiring chamber. A user of a weapon according to the invention can changefrom one type of ammunition to another simply by adjusting two levers.One such lever is located in the base 203 of the spherical projectilemagazine 21.

Turning to FIGS. 16 and 17, there is shown an ammunition blocking pin215 connected to a bushing 220 and a blocking pin handle 217. Theblocking pin 215 is received by a blocking pin passage 218 that extendsthe length of the base face plate 209, through the stem 200, and intothe opposite side of the base face plate 203 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17b. When the blocking pin 215 is advanced to a forward position as shownin FIG. 17 b it blocks the passage of spherical projectiles through thefeed port 207 and into the firing chamber 108. Again, the blocking pin215 and the blocking pin passage 218 are machined such that theapplication of gun grease will provide an air tight seal. Alternatively,higher operating pressures may require the use of polymer sleeves 219 onthe blocking pin 215 and/or “O” rings to help maintain pressurization ofthe system.

There is another embodiment of projectile storage device that is used tostore spherical projectiles in the practice of the invention. Thisembodiment, as utilized in a prototype of the invention and shown inFIG. 35 is referred to as the “L-rail” 160 due to its “L” shape. FIG. 35schematically represents one embodiment of the “L-rail” 160 projectilestorage device. The “L-rail” 160 can be divided into two integralcomponents: a loading component 161 and a storage component 162.Generally speaking the loading component 161 comprises the verticalcomponent of the “L” while the storage component 162 comprises thehorizontal portion of the “L”. It is the storage component 162 thatconnects to a gun body 93 and transfers projectiles to a breech 250.

The loading component 161 comprises a projectile feed portal 163 thatcommunicates with the “L-rail” spherical projectile storage chamber 164.The “L-rail” projectile feed portal 161 is sealed by a cap 165. Inpreferred embodiments the cap 165 also acts as a one-way gas valve forreasons explained later.

At the bottom of the loading component 161 and running along thelongitudinal axis of the storage component 162 is the storage chamber164. The storage chamber 164 runs the length of the storage component162. At the end of the storage component 162 that is adjacent theloading component 161, there is found residing in the storage chamber164 a projectile biasing device generally represented by element number166. The “L-rail” projectile biasing device 166 continuously feedsspherical projectiles toward the opposite end of the storage chamber 164and into the breech 250 of the weapon.

The “L-rail” projectile biasing device 166 can incorporate any method orcombination of components capable of pushing spherical projectilestoward the breech of the weapon. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 35 thedevice 166 comprises a handle 167, a plunger pin 168, an air tight guidebushing, a spring 170, and plunger 171. As shown in FIG. 35, the spring170 biases the plunger 171 toward projectiles 172 stored in the storagechamber 164 which has the effect of pushing the projectiles toward theend of the storage chamber 164 connected with the weapon. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 35, the end of the storage chamber 164 thatconnects with the weapon is closed by a threaded cap 173. This cap 173can be removed to allow the storage chamber 164 to communicate directlywith an ammunition portal 129 such as that shown in FIG. 10( a) or thecap 173 can be replaced by a stem 200. The “L-rail” may be connected tothe weapon using known means with the condition that such means shouldbe capable of maintaining high pressures within weapon.

An alternative, but preferred component of the “L-rail” projectilestorage device 160 is a self-lubricating mechanism generally representedby element 174. The self-lubricating mechanism 174 comprises alubrication portal 175 that is in fluid communication with the storagechamber 164. The lubrication portal 175 is sealed by a threaded plug173. Within the lubrication portal 175 resides a porous plug (not shown)that is preferably made of a porous polymer. A small amount of gun oilcan be applied to the porous plug.

One of the benefits of the design of the “L-rail” is that it providesfor exceptional, non-jamming feed of projectiles to the weapon alongwith a method of lubricating the weapon which in turns aids inmaintaining the high pressures needed to achieve optimum performance ofthe weapon. During use of the weapon, spherical projectiles 172 leavethe “L-rail” and enter the weapon. When the projectile is fired a smallvacuum is created in the “L-rail” as gas is drawn down the barrel of thegun. The one-way valve in the cap 165 allows the “L-rail” to “breathe”and eliminate the vacuum. However, the very slight vacuum that doesoccur serves to slowly pull oil out of the self-lubricating mechanismand into the storage chamber 164 and onto the projectiles 172. Thisminute amount of oil is then distributed throughout the gun body 93,particularly the area immediately surrounding the firing chamber 108.

Turning now to the portion of the weapon that fires projectiles, thefiring chamber 108 FIGS. 10 a and 10 b contains the breech 250. FIGS. 9and 13. The breech 250 is the component that places ammunition in theproper position to be fired out of the barrel. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9,and 13, the breech 250 is a generally rectangular structure having 4side walls defining an open interior and a top plate 251 enclosing theopen interior on the “top” end of the breech. The top plate 251 is sizedto be received by the upper portion of the firing chamber 108 and restalong the firing chamber ledge 128 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Of the 4 generally rectangular side walls, three are defined byopenings. The first wall 254 (or “left” wall as shown in FIG. 9) isdefined by a stem opening 258 sized to tightly receive the stem 200 fromthe spherical projectile magazine 21. As shown in FIG. 17( b), the stem200 advances within the stem opening 258 a distance equal to thethickness of the first wall 254 such that the end of the stem 200 isflush with the inner face of the first wall 254.

The second wall 255 (or “front” wall) of the breech contains a roundopening 259 that is coaxial with the barrel and sized to be slightlylarger than the diameter of the projectile that is to be fired from theweapon. FIG. 13. The third wall 256 (or “rear” wall) of the breechcontains a round opening 260 that is coaxial with the velocity pin port106 and is sized such that its diameter is smaller than that of thevelocity pin guide 102. FIG. 11. As shown in the figures, the design ofthe breech 250 provides sealed and pressurized fluid communicationbetween the firing chamber 108, specifically the interior portion of thebreech 250, the velocity pin port 106, and the spherical projectilemagazine 21. Additionally, if the top clip assembly 116 and the breechblock lower assembly 140 are both moved to their non-biased position(e.g., the top clip assembly is moved rearward and the breech lowerblock assembly is moved forward) there will be additional fluidcommunication with the interior of lower “clip” containing ammunition.FIG. 11. This latter aspect is discussed in more detail below.

The breech 250 is further defined by a body 253. FIGS. 11 a and 11 b.The breech body 253 is defined on the top by the top plate 251 and onthe bottom by a bottom face 252. The bottom face 252 of the breech body253 is flush with the top of the round opening 259 in the second (orfront) wall of the breech 250 as shown in FIG. 11. The breech body 253also contains at least one magnet of a sufficient strength to hold atleast one and preferably several projectiles in place proximate to andgenerally coaxial with the round opening 259 in the second (or front)wall of the breech 250. In the prototype shown in the figures, twomagnet holes 261 were drilled in the breech body 253 traversing thethickness of the breech body 253. Each magnet hole 261 received a magnet262. This particular design utilizing two magnets was chosen to aid instabilizing oblong projectiles such as metal pellets that may be fed upfrom an attached magazine. However, it is envisioned that other designswill incorporate different sized and shaped magnets depending on thepreferences of the practitioner.

The second (or front) wall 255 abuts the forward wall of the firingchamber 108 which is the general demarcation line for the front section111 of the gun body 93. FIG. 10( a). Disposed within the front section111 of the gun body 93, and situated coaxially with the velocity pinport 106 and the round opening 259 in the second wall 255 of the breech250, is the barrel bore 270. FIG. 10 b.

The barrel bore 270 receives the barrel 271, FIG. 18, to be used in thepractice of the invention. The barrel 271 is received into the barrelbore 270 in the standard threaded manner. The diameter of the barrelbore 270 may vary depending upon the needs of the practitioner and thoseskilled in the art are well aware of the variations that go intodesigning gun barrels.

One novel feature of the weapon according to the invention is its noveluse of compressed gas to fire a projectile. Known pneumatic weaponsutilize a blast of compressed gas to propel a projectile unimpeded outof a barrel. Until now, the conventional wisdom in gun making is thatimpeding the path of a projectile out of a gun, such as by plugging thebarrel, would make the gun inoperable and likely lead to disastrousresults. For example, plugging the barrel of a conventional firearm cancause the gun to explode when the gun is fired.

The weapon according to the invention opposes this convention by placinga barrier directly between the projectile and the barrel for thespecific purpose of impeding the forward progress of the projectile.Furthermore, it is this impedance of forward movement of the projectileand the manner in which it is carried out that gives the weapon itspower. This aspect of the invention is discussed in greater detailbelow.

The barrel bore 270 also receives another component that directlyrelates to another novel aspect of the invention: a barrier 290intermediate the breech 250 and the barrel 27. FIGS. 8, 11 a, 11 b and19. In a prototype of the invention the barrier 290 is locatedimmediately to the right of the firing chamber 108 (or “forward” of thefiring chamber) in the rear terminus of the barrel bore 270.

The barrier 290 as used in the practice of the invention is a devicethat prevents the movement of the projectile from the breech 250 to theopening of the gun barrel 271 in the absence of applied pressure. Morespecifically, the barrier 290 is a device that is generally coaxial withthe projectile and the gun barrel 271 and contains an opening 293 thattraverses its length. The opening 293 is capable of providing fluidcommunication between the breech and the gun barrel, although asdescribed below, in most instances the interaction between theprojectile and the breech results in intermittent fluid communicationbetween the breech 250 and the gun barrel 271.

The barrier 290 impedes movement of a projectile due to the size of theaforementioned opening 293. The opening 293 is smaller than theprojectile. Thus when the force of gas through the solenoid and gun bodypushes the projectile toward the gun barrel, the barrier prevents itsforward movement until the pressure in the gun body 93 (specifically thefiring chamber 108) reaches a point that it forces the projectilethrough the opening thereby instantaneously converting the potentialenergy of the gas pressure into kinetic energy of the projectile.

Turning now to a preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, the barrierused in the practice of the invention is an annular bushing 290 having acylindrical opening extending throughout its length. The exact size andshape of the barrier may vary depending on the design of the gun barrel271, gun body 93 borings, etc. For example, some gun barrels areoctagonal.

Likewise, the opening that defines the barrier may also vary in its sizeand shape. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the annular bushing 290 ispreferably round and has a round opening traversing its length.Theoretically, the opening could take on another shape such as an ovalor a “star”. For those preferred bushings 290 that contain a roundopening, the inner diameter of the opening is smaller than the outerdiameter of the projectile. The absolute value of the difference betweenthe inner diameter of the bushing 290 and the outer diameter of theprojectile can vary and this variance can alter the velocity of theprojectiles leaving the weapon. For this reason the bushing 290 utilizedin the preferred embodiment is also called a “velocity bushing” 290because by altering the makeup and dimensions of the bushing one canalter the velocity of the projectiles leaving the weapon. In a preferredembodiment the bushing 290 is made of durable polyurethane such asNatural 90A durometer polyurethane.

Preferably the input face of the velocity bushing 290 (the face adjacentthe firing chamber 108 and the front wall 255 of the breech 250) isslightly conically tapered to the inner diameter to allow for thesetting of a projectile into firing position by the velocity pin 100.FIG. 19. This conical tapering is graphically represented by solid line292 on the left hand side of the velocity bushing 290 shown in FIG. 11(a) and by the concentric circles in FIG. 20 and is shown schematicallyin FIG. 19. The opposite face of the velocity bushing 290 is disposedadjacent a barrel spacer 291 that separates the velocity bushing 290from the barrel 271. The opposite face of the velocity bushing 20 can betapered as well as shown by the dotted lines 294 in FIG. 19. A velocitybushing 290 having both ends tapered generally fires a round with lesspower than a velocity bushing having only the entry side tapered becausea double taper holding it back reduces the force of the round asdiscussed below. However, such bushings might be desirable as a powerreduction failsafe during certain circumstances (e.g., crowd control).

The dimensions shown in FIG. 19 are illustrative of dimensions thatmight be used in preparing a velocity bushing for a .313 caliberprojectile. These dimensions are for illustration only and should not beinterpreted as limiting the scope of invention. Those skilled in the artwill recognize that the dimensions can be changed according to theprinciples discussed herein.

Although the barrel spacer 291 can be an optional component, its use isrecommended because if it is removed it is easy to tighten the barrel271 too tight and distort the geometry of the velocity bushing 290. Theinner diameter of the barrel spacer should be equal to the innerdiameter of the barrel.

In a prototype of the invention designed to fire a .313 caliber round,steel projectile, the velocity bushing 290 was made of natural 90Adurometer polyurethane. The velocity bushing was 0.5 inch long by 0.5inch wide. The outer diameter was 0.5 inch and the internal diameter was0.28 inches. During operation, because the inner diameter of thevelocity bushing 290 is smaller than the outer diameter of theprojectile, the velocity bushing 290 initially prevents forward movementof the projectile. Because the face of the velocity bushing 290 adjacentthe projectile is tapered to create a generally concave face, it snuglyreceives a portion of a rounded projectile. In other words, the concaveface of the velocity bushing receives the convex projectile whichprovides for an even distribution of resistive force on the face of theprojectile which greatly stabilizes the projectile in the breech.

When the trigger is pulled the solenoid opens releasing gas from the gasstorage unit which travels through the velocity port 106 and into thefiring chamber 108. Pressure builds in the firing chamber 108 almostinstantaneously pushing the projectile toward the velocity bushing 290.Yet, because the velocity bushing 290 prevents the forward movement ofthe projectile, and creates an air tight seal, the pressure in thefiring chamber 108 builds to pressures beyond that seen in knownpneumatic weapons. When the gas pressure reaches a certain level (1500psi in the prototype), the potential energy of the compressed gasovercomes the resistance provided by the velocity bushing 290 and theprojectile if forced through the opening 293 in the bushing 290. Thepotential energy of the compressed gas is then almost instantaneouslyconverted to kinetic energy of the projectile as it shoots through thevelocity bushing 290 and out the barrel.

This conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy is much moreefficient than the conversions seen in current known pneumatic weapons.In known pneumatic weapons unimpeded projectiles slowly gather kineticenergy as the initial burst of gas immediately dissipates down thebarrel. Alternatively, known weapons place an insubstantial andnon-air-tight barrier in front of a projectile to keep it from rollingout a down turned barrel (e.g., a flap hinge). In contrast, the gasreleased by the firing mechanism in the invention is not immediatelydissipated or used to knock over a weak flap. Instead, the gas istrapped and builds pressure thereby storing additional potential energythat is then transferred to the projectile.

Using the prototype velocity bushing 290 described above the weapon wascapable of firing a .313 round, steel projectile at 1000 feet persecond. This type of velocity bushing 290 is also very durable in thatprototypes of the invention have fired over 2000 rounds before noticinga decline in power or accuracy.

As those skilled in the art can readily see, altering stiffness of thevelocity bushing 290 (e.g., using a different polymer), or changing thegeometry of the velocity bushing (specifically the internal diameter ofthe bushing), or increasing or decreasing the size of the firedprojectile can all effect the final pressure at which a projectile isfired and thus alter the muzzle velocity (or power) of the projectile asit leaves the barrel.

For example, another planned prototype of the invention is a .50 caliberweapon using a .50 caliber barrel and a 90A durometer polyurethanevelocity bushing 290 having a 0.75 inch outer diameter, an innerdiameter (ID) less than 0.75 inch (exact ID is variable depending onpressure used), and a length of 0.75 inch.

Turning now to the barrel section of the invention, the barrel bore 270receives the barrel 271 to be used in the practice of the invention. Thebarrel 271 utilized in the practice of the invention can vary from astandard straight non-rifled barrel such as those used in BB guns ormuskets to complex rifled barrels with noise reduction components andgas assist mechanisms. The former type of barrel is well known in theart and need not be described in detail here. The latter type of barrelwas used in a prototype of the invention and is described herein.

FIGS. 18, 21 and 26 show the various components of the barrel section ofthe representative weapon and a representation of a barrel insert thatcan be used to change the caliber of ammunition fired from the weapon.As an initial matter, there is shown a gun site 272 FIG. 22 such asthose that are standard in the industry and commercially available.

The barrel 271 may be made of any of the standard materials (e.g., steelalloys) that are used to make gun barrels. Similarly, the barrel 271 maybe of any reasonable length. The prototype of the invention used astainless steel barrel 271 approximately 24 inches in length. The barrel271 was rifled due to the simultaneous use of round projectiles andoblong projectiles (e.g., pellets) with skirts that may expand uponrelease of the compressed gas and engage with the rifling. Standardrifling techniques were utilized to place rifling 273 in the barrel asshown in FIG. 22.

Another type of rifling technique utilized in the practice of theinvention is spiral venting. As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 22, aplurality of small holes or “vents” 274 were drilled into the muzzle endof the barrel 271 in a spiraling pattern. These vents 274 allow gas toescape from the muzzle in a defined spiraling pattern. Normally, whenround steel projectiles (BBs) traverse the barrel they do not engagewith the rifling or only to a minimal extent. Thus they only slightlyspin as they leave the barrel, if at all. This lack of spin causes alack of accuracy when firing such spherical projectiles. The vents 274help address this problem.

As a spherical projectile traverses the vented portion of the barrel271, the pattern of the escaping gas causes the spherical projectile torotate or twist in a fashion similar to that of lead bullet leaving astandard rifle. This improves the accuracy of the weapon according tothe invention when using spherical ammunition as compared to otherpneumatic weapons.

The vents 274 serve another purpose as well. That purpose is to providea gas assist mechanism which aids in the feeding of ammunition from abottom loaded magazine and recycles a portion of the compressed gasutilized to fire the weapon.

FIG. 22 shows a variation of the barrel 271 that uses a gas collectionmechanism 279. Looking at FIGS. 22 and 25, the gas collection mechanism279 comprises two components: a locking ring 281 with a matingcylindrical cover 280. The locking ring 281 comprises a flange 282 thatis integral with a threaded plug 283. Integrally attached to thethreaded plug 283 is a half collar 284 which forms half of an annulusthat will surround the barrel 271. The other half of the collar 284 (notshown) combines with the half collar 284 attached to the threaded plug282 via set screws 285. Tightening the set screws 285 tightens the twohalves of the collar 284 and clamps the collar 284, and thus the lockingring 281 to the barrel 271. The threaded plug 283 mates with the rearportion of the similarly threaded cylindrical cover 280 to create thegas collection mechanism 279 that encloses the end of the barrel.

The cylindrical cover 280 seals itself against the flange 282 and ispartially enclosed at the muzzle end of the barrel. The muzzle end 288of the cylindrical cover 280 is defined by an annular flange having ainner diameter sufficient to receive the end of the barrel 271 and aplurality of vents for expelling a portion of the gas that is expelledat each firing. FIG. 26. The cylindrical cover 280 possesses an innerdiameter substantially greater than the outer diameter of the barrel 271thus forming an annular space 278 for collecting a portion of the gasthat is expelled at each firing. FIG. 22.

The locking ring 281 preferably contains a return gas port 286 drilledwithin the flange 282. The return gas port 286 comprises a one way valveconnected to a standard gas coupling 287 which in turn connects to a gasreturn line 277 which leads to a bottom feed ammunition magazine.FIG. 1. When the weapon is fired, the gas utilized to propel theprojectile out the barrel flows through the vents 274 in the barrel andis captured in the annular space 278. A portion of this gas escapes outthe front of the gas collection mechanism through vents 289 but aportion is also sent through the one way valve and gas coupling 287,down the gas return line 277 and back into the system via a bottomloaded magazine.

Another novel feature of the present invention is the relative ease withwhich the weapon may be modified to fire different ammunition ofdifferent caliber. FIG. 21 is a view of a barrel insert 269, a barrelcap 268 and a velocity bushing 290 and spacer 291 of a different caliberthan one originally used by a user. By way of explanation, consider FIG.18 to represent a .50 caliber barrel along with a .50 caliber velocitybushing and spacer and FIG. 21 to represent a .22 caliber barrel,bushing, and spacer.

Generally speaking, .50 caliber ammunition is much heavier and moreexpensive than .22 caliber ammunition. Accordingly, a user of the weaponmay not want to fire .50 caliber ammunition at all times (e.g., duringpractice or training). Such a user can change the weapon to fire .22caliber ammunition by simply inserting a smaller .22 caliber barrelinsert 269 into the .50 caliber barrel. The user can begin thetransformation by removing the breech 250 from the weapon and insertinga .22 caliber spacer 291 and velocity bushing 290. The breech 250 isthen replaced and the .22 caliber barrel insert 269 is inserted into the.50 caliber barrel. The end of the .50 caliber barrel is threaded toreceive the barrel cap 268. The barrel cap 268 is an annular cap with anopening that receives the muzzle end of the barrel insert 269. Engagingthe barrel cap 269 with the barrel insert 269 and the end of the .50caliber barrel locks the barrel insert 269 in place. Thus afterreplacing only two items and inserting a third, the weapon is ready forfiring .22 caliber ammunition.

Note that a forward “L” shaped bracket 297 having a plurality of holesfor receiving the barrel 271, breech block pin 143, the gas return line277 and a forward hand grip 298 (or other similar type of hand rest)completes the frame of the weapon as shown in FIG. 8.

The weapon according to the invention preferably contains a dual feedingsystem for ammunition that allows the weapon to fire at least twodifferent types of ammunition without having to change barrels orbreeches. One type of ammunition, spherical projectiles (e.g., BBs), wasdiscussed previously. This section will discuss a second type ofprojectile that is non-spherical and is shaped more like traditionalpellets or bullets.

The return gas line 277 extends from the gas collection mechanism 279rearward to couple with a second type of projectile storage device thatcan be used with the weapon accordingly to the invention. This secondtype of storage device is similar to known “clip” magazines for holdingbullets and is shown as a magazine 32 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7. The returngas line 277 couples with the clip magazine 32 via a gas portal 299 atthe bottom of the magazine using standard gas couples recovered gas isthereby returned to the system via the interior of the magazine. Turningnow to FIGS. 27-30, there is shown in an exploded view and incross-section a representative magazine 32 that may be utilized in thepractice of the invention. The magazine 32 is generally rectangular inshape as is common in the art and has a first end and a second end. Thesecond end inserts into a slot in the bottom of the gun body 93 andsupplies projectiles to the breech 250 of the pneumatic weapon.

In a preferred embodiment of this type of projectile storage device, theclip magazine 32 comprises an outer rectangular sleeve 300 that is openon both ends with at least one tension device 302 disposed therein.Attached to the bottom of the rectangular sleeve 300 is a base plate 301from which a tension device extends. In preferred embodiments thetension device is one or more springs 302. The magazine springs 302engage with a magazine plunger 303 via spring receiving sleeves 309located on the bottom of the magazine plunger 303. The tension device(e.g., magazine springs 302) bias the plunger 303 toward the second endof the magazine 32.

Attached to the top of the rectangular sleeve 300 (the end opposite thebase plate 301 or the “second” end of the magazine) are two magazinecover brackets 304. The magazine cover brackets 304 are “L” brackets andare attached to longitudinally to the top of the rectangular sleeve 300such that each creates a slot for receiving a longitudinal edge of amagazine cover 305 as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. The cover 35 is thusconnected to and covers the second end of the magazine 32. The magazinecover 305 is further defined by a raised platform 306 on the end facingthe gun body 93 and a conical beveling 307 on the side opposite the sidewith the raised platform 306. The conical beveling 307 providesstability for bullet shaped projectiles stored in the clip magazine 32as it is pressed upwards by the magazine springs 302. A small hole 308for receiving the breech block protrusion 146 is situated on the forwardface at the top of the clip magazine 32.

Projectiles are loaded into the clip magazine 32 from the top of themagazine through the opening between the magazine cover brackets 304.The projectiles are pushed downward against the magazine plunger 303 tocompress the magazine springs 302 as shown in FIG. 29. When the clipmagazine 32 is full or the desired amount of projectiles are loaded themagazine cover 305 is moved forward to fully engage with the magazinecover brackets 304 thus containing the projectiles within the magazine.

The clip magazine 32 is designed to engage with the middle section ofthe gun body 93, specifically the lower loading chamber 133. Morespecifically, to engage the magazine 32 with the gun body 93, the breechblock bolt 142 is moved forward thus moving the breech block 141 forwardin the lower loading chamber 133. The magazine 32 is inserted into thevoid created in the lower loading chamber 133 by the forward movement ofthe breech block 141. Once the magazine 32 is in place the breech blockbolt 142 is released and the breech block spring 145 moves the breechblock 141 and the breech block pin protrusion 146 rearward where theprotrusion 146 engages with a small hole 308 in the top of the magazine32 thereby locking the magazine 32 in place as shown in FIG. 11.

Continuing with FIG. 11, note that when the magazine 32 is engaged withthe gun body, the magazine cover raised platform 306 engages with thetop clip bolt notch 123. Thus, when the top clip bolt handle 120 and topclip bolt 117 are pull rearward, the top clip bolt 117, which is engagedwith the clip magazine cover 305, pulls the clip magazine cover 305rearward providing fluid communication between the interior of the clipmagazine 32 and the firing chamber 108. This firing arrangement is whatis shown in cross-section in FIG. 11.

Turning now to the operation of the weapon according to the invention,the weapon may be fired in automatic or semi-automatic mode using onetype or two different types of ammunition. The semi-automatic mode willbe discussed first.

FIGS. 31-33 graphically illustrate how the weapon fires ammunition froma magazine in semi-automatic mode. Firing of the weapon begins by notingthat at rest (i.e., before the system is pressurized) the velocity pin100 is biased back out of the firing chamber 108 by the velocity returnspring 104. FIG. 11. In addition, the ammunition blocking pin 215 thatprevents spherical ammunition from entering the firing chamber 108 ispushed forward FIG. 17 b. The first active step in firing the weaponinvolves charging the gas storage chamber 57 with a gas at high pressure(e.g., 1500 psi) via the gas feed port 72 which is connected to a sourceof high pressure gas. Then a round of ammunition is placed in the firingchamber 108. In FIGS. 31-33 the ammunition is a skirted pellet or bulletfed from a clip magazine. The first round is placed in the firingchamber 108 by pulling back the top clip bolt 117 and magazine cover 305to open the interior of the magazine 32 as shown in FIG. 11. Themagazine springs 302 press upward against the magazine plunger 303 whichpushes a round of ammunition into the firing chamber 108 where it isheld in place by magnets 262. Preferably, the ammunition is made of ametal that is attracted to the magnets 262 located in the top of thebreech 250 or is coated with such a metal. The magnets 262 hold theround in a firing position immediately behind the velocity bushing 290.

The trigger 80 is then pulled completing the circuit activating thesolenoid 84. Upon activation, the solenoid 84 opens allowing highpressure gas to flow almost instantaneously from the gas storage chamber57 through the velocity tube 94 where it both presses the velocity pinplunger 99 forward and fills the velocity pin port 106 and firingchamber 108 with high pressure gas due to the perforations in thevelocity pin plunger and velocity pin guide 102.

As the velocity pin plunger 99 and thus the velocity pin 100 moveforward, the forward terminus of the velocity pin 100 engages the rearof the round that is in the firing chamber 108 thereby seating itcoaxially within the slight conical depression in the rear face of thevelocity bushing 290. The velocity bushing 290 restrains forwardmovement of the round until the pressure in the firing chamber 108builds to a point sufficient to overcome the resistance provided by thevelocity bushing 290.

At that point, the round is violently forced through the aperture of thevelocity bushing 290 and the potential energy of the compressed gas isconverted into the kinetic energy of the round. FIG. 31 schematicallyrepresents the moment when the round is traversing the velocity bushing290 and about to traverse the velocity spacer 291. The round travelsdown the barrel 271 of the weapon and out the muzzle. Gas expended inthe firing of the round escapes out the end of the barrel either throughthe muzzle or through vents located at the end of the barrel in the gascollection mechanism 279. The gas escaping through the vents 274 andcaptured in the gas collection mechanism 279 causes an increase inpressure sufficient to open the one way valve in the gas returnmechanism and transmit gas from the gas collection mechanism back to thefiring chamber 108 via gas line 277.

When the round is fired through the velocity bushing 290 there is amomentary drop in air pressure sufficient to allow the velocity returnspring 104 to push the velocity pin plunger 99 and the velocity pin 100rearward for a distance sufficient to allow another round to enter thefiring chamber 108. FIG. 32 schematically captures the moment rightafter the projectile exits the velocity bushing 209 and the velocity pin100 is moving rearward to allow another projectile to feed into thebreech. FIG. 33 captures the instant the next projectile feeds into thebreech. The cycle then repeats when the trigger is pulled again.

For automatic fire the process is exactly the same with a couple ofexceptions. First, the trigger circuit microprocessor is programmed toremain open until the trigger is released. Thus, the solenoid remainsopen and gas continuously floods the firing chamber 108 firing roundafter round until the ammunition is spent (or the trigger is released).Secondly, the gun body 93 is equipped with a small automatic fire port231 in which resides an automatic fire pin 230 which is schematicallyrepresented in FIG. 34. The automatic fire port 231 and the automaticfire pin 230 communicate with the firing chamber 108 such that when theautomatic fire pin 230 is engaged, it extends into the firing chamber108 for a distance sufficient to block the velocity pin 100 fromreciprocating which allows a free flow of ammunition into the firingchamber 108 where they are fired as quickly as allowed by the velocitybushing 290, pressure levels, size of ammunition, etc.

Alternatively, the trigger circuit microprocessor can be programmed tofire bursts of rounds of any given number (e.g., 3, 5, or 7 roundbursts). As noted previously, such programmable firing mechanisms areknown in the art and need not be detailed here. Prototypes of theinvention have achieved a rate of fire of 30-40 rounds per seconddepending on the pressures used, diameter of opening in the velocitybushing, etc.

Spherical ammunition is fired through the weapon in a similar manner. Tofire spherical ammunition one must first isolate the magazine 32. Thisis accomplished by moving the top clip assembly 116 to a forwardposition thus re-engaging the magazine cover 305 with the magazine coverbrackets 304 as shown in FIG. 35. FIG. 35 is a view at the clip magazinewith portions removed to show the relevant elements. If desired theentire magazine 32 may be removed by disengaging the clip magazine 32from the breech block pin protrusion 146.

If the ammunition blocking pin 215 (FIG. 16) is pushed forward it shouldbe pulled back thereby opening the stem 200 to the firing chamber 108.Gravity will feed spherical ammunition from the cylindrical ammunitionmagazine 21 via the spiral ramp 206 and stem 200 to the firing chamber108. Firing of the weapon then proceeds as previously discussed.

It is also worth noting two design features that provide for continuedfire of spherical ammunition even if the weapon is held upside down.First, the magnets 262 utilized in the practice of the invention willtypically hold a chain of 8-12 or more projectiles depending on the sizeof the projectile and strength of the magnet. Current prototypes utilizemagnets capable of holding 8-10 .313 caliber projectiles in a continuouschain extending from the firing chamber back into the magazine.

Second, the spherical projectile magazine 21 is pressurized via a gasline 214 that connects directly to the gun body 93, specifically thevelocity pin port 106, via gas port 216. As the velocity pin plunger 99moves forward during a firing sequence it unblocks the gas port 216allowing the gas flowing from the open solenoid 84 to flow through gasline 214 and pressurize the spherical projectile magazine 21 along withthe firing chamber 108.

When the round fires and travels down the barrel it creates a“dragging/vacuum” effect in the firing chamber 108. Furthermore, thepressurized gas in the spherical projectile magazine 21 assists increates a slight “push” of gas out of the stem 200 and into the firingchamber 108. These “pull and push” effects related to gas movementimmediately after firing a round, in conjunction with the magnets 262,and the constant movement of ammunition toward the firing chamber 108during operation, should be sufficient to feed spherical ammunition tothe firing chamber 108 even if the weapon is held upside down.

In yet another embodiment, the invention comprises a method of expellinga projectile from the barrel of a pneumatic gun. The method according tothe invention is generally described in the following paragraphs inreference to the apparatus that was described previously.

In general, the method according to the invention comprises the steps ofproviding a source of compressed gas that is in fluid communication withthe breech of the pneumatic gun. The flow of compressed gas into the gunis preferably controlled by an electronic circuit such as thatcontrolling the aforementioned solenoid.

The method according to the invention also comprises the step of placinga projectile in the breech of a pneumatic gun where the projectile iscoaxial with a gun barrel. A barrier, such as the velocity bushing 290described previously, is placed intermediate the projectile and the gunbarrel.

Once the projectile is in the breech the electronic circuit initiatesthe flow of compressed gas into the breech. The pneumatic pressureinside the breech increases to a pressure sufficient to force theprojectile through an opening in the barrier and out the gun barrel.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

While the invention has been described with respect to a variousembodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes in detail may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit, scope, and teaching of the invention. Accordingly, theinvention herein disclosed is to be limited only as specified in thefollowing claims.

1. A pneumatic weapon comprising: a gun barrel; a gun body containing abreech for receiving a projectile; a barrier positioned intermediatesaid breech and said barrel and coaxial with said barrel, said barrierdefined by an opening therein permitting fluid communication betweensaid breech and said barrel, said opening having a diameter sufficientto prevent a projectile from traversing the velocity bushing in theabsence of applied pressure.
 2. A pneumatic weapon according to claim 1in which said barrier is a bushing defined by an inner diameter that issmaller than the outer diameter of said projectile.
 3. A pneumaticweapon according to claim 2 further comprising: a gas storage chamber; asolenoid providing fluid communication between said gas storage chamberand said breech; a firing mechanism for activating said solenoid; and atleast one projectile storage device capable of providing projectiles tosaid breech.
 4. A pneumatic weapon according to claim 3 wherein saidfiring mechanism comprises an electronic circuit that activates saidsolenoid.
 5. A pneumatic weapon according to claim 3 wherein the weaponcomprises a first projectile storage device which contains a firstprojectile and a second projectile storage device which contains asecond projectile, said first and second projectiles being differentfrom one another.
 6. A pneumatic weapon according to claim 2 whereinsaid bushing is defined by a concave face adjacent said breech.
 7. Apneumatic weapon according to claim 1 wherein said barrier is made of apolymer.
 8. A pneumatic weapon according to claim 3 that firesprojectiles in a semi-automatic fashion, an automatic fashion or both.9. A barrier for placement intermediate a projectile and a gun barrel,said barrier having an opening therein that is coaxial with said gunbarrel and permits fluid communication with said gun barrel.
 10. Abarrier according to claim 9 wherein said barrier is a bushing.
 11. Abarrier according to claim 10 wherein said bushing has a concave faceadjacent said projectile.
 12. A barrier according to claim 9 whereinsaid barrier is made of a polymer and prevents the traversal of saidprojectile through said barrier in the absence of applied pressure. 13.A barrier according to claim 10 wherein said bushing has an innerdiameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of said projectile. 14.A projectile storage device for a pneumatic weapon comprising: a basehaving a least one face adjacent said pneumatic weapon, said basecomprising a boring and a projectile feed port for transferringprojectiles to said weapon, said feed port in fluid communication withsaid boring; a spiral tower situated within said boring capable oftransferring spherical projectiles to said feed port; and a coverenclosing said spiral tower, said cover having a loading port forreceiving spherical projectiles.
 15. A projectile storage deviceaccording to claim 14 further comprising an ammunition blocking pin forblocking the passage of spherical projectiles through said feed port.16. A projectile storage device according to claim 14 further comprisinga gas portal for receiving a gas into the interior of the projectilestorage device.
 17. A projectile storage device according to claim 14wherein said feed port extends from said base.
 18. A projectile storagedevice according to claim 14 wherein said feed port terminates at theface of the base that is adjacent to said weapon.
 19. A projectilestorage device comprising: a magazine, said magazine having a first endand a second end, said second end capable of supplying projectiles to abreech of a pneumatic weapon; at least one tension device disposedwithin said magazine; a magazine plunger connected to said tensiondevice, said tension device biasing said plunger toward said second endof said magazine; a sliding cover connected to and covering said secondend of said magazine; and a one-way gas portal providing fluidcommunication with the interior of said magazine.
 20. A projectilestorage device according to claim 19 wherein said tension devicecomprises at least one spring.
 21. A projectile storage device accordingto claim 19 wherein said one-way gas portal is connected to a gas linethat receives gas expelled from a barrel of said pneumatic weapon.
 22. Aprojectile storage device according to claim 19 wherein said magazine isdesigned to store bullet shaped projectiles.
 23. A mechanism to controlthe transfer of projectiles into the breech of a pneumatic weapon, saidmechanism comprising: a breech; a port in fluid communication with saidbreech; a pin coaxially disposed within said port, said pin capable ofreciprocal movement within said port and breech in response to changesin air pressure.
 24. A mechanism according to claim 23 furthercomprising: a gas storage chamber; a solenoid intermediate said gasstorage chamber and said port, said solenoid providing fluidcommunication between said gas storage chamber and said port; and aplunger coaxially disposed within said port and attached to said pin,said plunger providing resistance to fluid flow through said port.
 25. Amechanism according to claim 24 further comprising a trigger mechanismcontrolling the transfer of gas through said solenoid and into saidport.
 26. A mechanism according to claim 25 wherein when said triggermechanism is activated gas flows from said gas storage chamber throughsaid solenoid and into said port thereby moving said plunger and pintoward said breech.
 27. A projectile storage device comprising: aloading component; a storage component for storing projectiles, saidloading component and said storage component being in fluidcommunication with each other; a one way gas valve integral to saidloading component; a self-lubricating mechanism integral to said loadingcomponent; and a projectile biasing device that communicates with saidstorage component for biasing projectiles toward the breech of apneumatic weapon.
 28. A projectile storage device according to claim 27wherein said projectile biasing device comprises a plunger and a spring.29. A projectile storage device according to claim 27 wherein saidself-lubricating mechanism comprises a lubrication portal integral withsaid loading component, wherein said portal is in fluid communicationwith said storage component and wherein said portal retains a porousplug, said plug for receiving a quantity of gun oil.
 30. A method ofexpelling a projectile from the barrel of a pneumatic gun, said methodcomprising the steps of: placing a projectile in the breech of apneumatic gun, said projectile being coaxial with a gun barrel; placinga barrier intermediate said projectile and said gun barrel; increasingthe pneumatic pressure within said breech to a pressure sufficient toforce said projectile through said barrier and out the gun barrel.
 31. Amethod according to claim 30 wherein said barrier is a bushing that iscoaxial with said gun barrel, said bushing having an inner diametersmaller than the outer diameter of the projectile.
 32. A methodaccording to claim 30 further comprising the step of providing a sourceof compressed gas in fluid communication with said breech.
 33. A methodaccording to claim 32 wherein the transmission of said compressed gas tosaid breech is controlled by an electronic circuit.
 34. A methodaccording to claim 33 wherein a portion of the gas transmitted to saidbreech is transmitted through the barrier and out the gun barrel where aportion of the gas is reclaimed for re-use in the pneumatic gun.
 35. Amethod according to claim 30 in which said pneumatic gun firesprojectiles in an automatic mode, a semiautomatic mode or both.
 36. Amethod according to claim 30 wherein said gun possesses two differenttypes of projectiles and is capable of firing either type withoutchanging projectile storage devices or barrel.